Ring of Fire

ABSTRACT

A method and device for distributing and containing ant bait that provides a dry environment and prolongs its effectiveness through a temporarily reusable device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The Ring of Fire is a formed plastic housing device with a “donut” styleshape that contains a prefilled commercial produced ant bait. The devicecan be used on multiple ant locations until bait is depleted.

BACKGROUND

It is well known that commercial fire ant baits are rendered uselesswhen water comes in contact with the bait. This device is designed toshed water from rain and irrigation systems keeping the bait inside dry.

This device allows for a “non-human contact” solution for fire ant baitdistribution.

SUMMARY

This device has a “peel off” barrier on the bottom that allows the antbait to stay contained inside. Once removed, a ⅛″ gap between the upperand lower “shell” is exposed allowing ants to enter the device and carrythe bait back to the mound.

The device contains enough bait for multiple applications.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows two individually molded upper and lower portions of thedevice. The first is a “concaved” upper shell with a conical downwardprotruding center. The second is a “concaved” lower shell that isslightly smaller in the outer diameter. The upward facing inner circularprotrusion which is ¼″ larger slides over the downward facingprotrusions from the upper shell. When placed together, they create ahollow “donut” shape that contains the ant bait. There is a ⅛″ gapbetween the two protrusions. The upper extends over the lower thatallows ants to enter and exit the device, while retaining the ability toshed water off the device, allowing the bait to remain dry.

The device can be made in various sizes, shapes and colors, but mostcommonly uses a 5 inch over all diameter, 1½ height profile and a 2 inchcenter hole.

The device is constructed from 015 to 040 vacuum form plastics.

FIG. 2 shows the upper and lower shells bonded together to form a hollow“donut” shaped container.

The darkened area in the bottom references the peel of tab that fitsinside of the lower protrusion and adheres to the bottom of the upperprotrusion. This is to contain the bait unit it is ready to be used.

1. The Ring of Fire, ant bait container is a protective water sheddingcontainer that allows for ant bait to be used in outdoor environmentswhere ant bait typically would not retain its effectiveness due tomoisture created by rain or irrigation systems.